Golden Ratio (1985)

approximate size 86 x 91"

This quilt is based on the mathematical constant known as the
Golden Ratio, also known as the Golden Mean or
Golden Section. In mathematical texts, the Golden Ratio is
often represented by the Greek letter phi, and it has the
value

phi == (sqrt (5) + 1) / 2

The Golden Ratio has all sorts of neat mathematical properties. For
instance,

(phi - 1) == 1 /phi

and

(phi + 1) ==phi**2

It's also related to the Fibonacci numbers and shows up in nature in
the geometry of sunflowers and nautilus shells, among other things.
Click here to find more about phi.

In terms of the design of this quilt, the sizes of the stars are related
to each other by the constant phi. Here's a sketch that shows some
of the places where phi shows up in the geometry of the 5-pointed
star figure:

Detail. It's not a coincidence that I made this quilt in shades of gold!